Now, I have to admit, I am Very Rusty – no mad skillz here! I was just trying to get in touch with my memories from way back and just went with the flow.

Remembering the way the dough handled, its texture, the steps…

I followed my instincts and as you can see in the steps above I ended up with a: LOAF!

Now, I must say, there’s great satisfaction here (and it is yummy…) but I actually can’t wait to make it again.

While the bread was baking, I went in search of my Christmas ornaments. I say in search, because there is still much mystery in the boxes around here, many of which I did not pack myself. While digging in a box marked "Knitting Books" I found my cookbooks, including my beloved natty ratty decades old JOY OF COOKING.

So with a cuppa tea, I sat down and de-briefed my baking skills using the chapter on making bread in the Joy.

Looking (& slicing) the first edition, I see where I can make some real improvements.

– use less flour (my dough was too stiff and not elastic enough). Remember: the recipe usually tells you to add in increments for a reason. :)

– knead just until you get a nice elasticity and smoothness

– [investigate how to] prepare the loaf for the last rising (I did this really weirdly)

– don’t let it raise too much! I think my loaf was a little flat but I can also see the dip in the raw loaf pan shot.

But let me end by saying the Homely Home smelled so wonderful and eating the warm bread with a piece of really dark chocolate might’ve been one of my most favorite moments ever…